Examination paper grading apparatus



Nov. 16, 1954 w. s. ROEDER 2,694,266

EXAMINATION PAPER GRADING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 18, 1954 r 2 Sheets-Sheet l 4 [/6 /5'6 I18 /42 78 I04 I 40 IO 74 Mk, 9 /a/ H; I32 I /48 Q5 /58 .l 13G sem m I a 7 1 I70 81 i 8 V J0 72 /20 W M /22 F197 .1.

INVENTOR. Wesley S.Roeder NOV. 16, 1954 w, 5 ROEDER EXAMINATION PAPER GRADING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 18, 1954 m m w m ommoo 00 000 oovoo 00 000 0000 0000 O0 CO 00000 00000 00000 c w w a W w, S w 00000 00 o oo I oo Mm oo. Y mo W8 3 o 6 o o o oo o 7 G 0 Z 5 7 U w H Y 5 m I 8 1 2 6 l 6 w 0 a 5 6 .H 6

Z 4 5 IO Z 6 o 6 8 w un 4| /01 lo /1 Mr\ Z 8 O 2 m flm oooo F1 United States Patent ()fiice 2,694,266 Patented Nov. 16, 1954 EXAMINATION PAPER GRADING APPARATUS Wesley S. Roeder, Portland, Oreg.

Application January 18, 1954, SerialNo. 404,662 7 Claims. (Cl. 35-48) This invention relates to apparatus for grading multiple choice examination papers by the method wherein use is made of a perforated or otherwise altered key sheet, the perforations or alterations on which indicate the location of the correct, answers on the examination paper. M

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide examination paper grading apparatus of the class described which is more eificient and more rapid than are the devices of the prior art which have been developed for analagous purposes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an examination paper grading apparatus which grades the papers with a high degree of accuracy.

It is another. object of the present invention to provide an examination paper grading apparatus which may be used on answer sheets having a large number of answers, ffir example, up to several hundred answers on each s eet.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an examination paper grading apparatus which may be used for the determination of sub-total scores as well as total scores.

It is another, object of the present invention to pro- Figures 2, 3 and4 are views in side elevation of the' apparatus of Figure 1, illustrating the apparatus in load- I lug, scanning, and discharge positions, respectively;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5 5" of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a plan view of an answer sheet of the type which may be scored by the presently described apparatus.

Upon reference to Figure 6 it will be observed that the answer sheet 10 contains a large number of areas 12 delineated by circles or other appropriate markings. These areas are arranged in groups, for example, groups 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22, each of which contains 5 rows, each row containing 30 answer spaces. The score given the examination as a whole will be the sum of the scores obtained on each of these groups.

When taking the examination, as is usual of examinations of this class, the student alters in some way the answer area which he believes to correspond to the correct answer. The alteration'may be effectuated in any desired manner, as by punching out the area. Prefer ably, however, it is accomplished by coloring it with a pencil to give a darkened area having light reflective properties different from those of the surrounding sheet. The present invention is described with particular reference to this latter type of alteration of the answer sheet, although no limitation is intended thereby..

The answer sheet of Figure6 may be graded by use of a key sheet 24 of corresponding formand propor-.

tions. The correct answers are indicated on the key sheet by alteration of certain ones 25 of the circled t e r fs abl su sh n t an t- A the k preferably is prepared on relatively stifi, heavy paper for permanency and ease of handling.

The apparatus employed for scoring answer sheets 10 includes a frame 30 of suitable construction and design. It is dimensioned for reception of the answer sheets and gszfogrired or provided with a pair of longitudinal tracks A plurality of photoelectric cells 36 are arranged in the frame in five rows indicated at 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 in Figure 4. Each of these rows contains 30 cells spaced apart laterally to correspond to the spacing of answer areas 12 on the answer sheet. Also, each row is positioned for scanning a corresponding one of answer groups 1422.

The photoelectric cells are shielded by means of a light transmissive member such as the glass plate 48. They are energized by light from a suitable source, as by means of fluorescent lights 50, 52, 54, 56 and 58, one light being provided for each row of cells.

Slidably mounted upon tracks 32, 34 is a carriage 60. This serves the function of positioning the answer and key sheets and of holding the former securely superimposed upon the latter while they are scanned by the photoelectric cells.

The carriage is mounted for reciprocation between loading, scanning and discharge positions and is connected to suitable drive means for accomplishing this movement, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

Also, it is provided with a floor comprising the perforated bed plate 62. The perforations 64 in this plate are spaced apart to correspond to the spacing of photoelectric cells 36 and of the circled answer areas on answer sheet 10. Thus, they may be arranged in five groups, each group containing five rows of 30 openings each.

It obviously is of critical importance to the successful operation of the presently described apparatus that the key sheet and answer sheet be maintained in exact registration with each other and with the perforations 64 in the perforated plate 62 which forms the floor of the carriage. When this is the case, the openings punched out of the answer sheet will register exactly with the corresponding openings in plate 62 and with the answer areas on the answer sheet, which may or may not be shaded with pencil, depending upon whether or not the student has selected the correct answers.

In the illustrated form, the positioning means employed comprise a pair of longitudinally placed guides which may comprise the side walls 66, 68 of the carriage. These are' spaced apart a distance such that they contain exactly the key and answer sheets, preventing their lateral displacement.

The longitudinal displacement of the key and answer sheets is prevented during operation of the apparatus by stop means stationed rearwardly of the carriage. Although various types of stops may be used for this purpose, a preferred form is illustrated particularly in Figure 1. It comprises a pair of spring pressed dogs 70, 72 pivotallv mounted on opposite sides of the rear end of the carriage.

These dogs are formed with angular inner surfaces designed. to engage the corners of the key and answer sheets. They also are formed with angled outer surfaces 74, 76 positioned for slidable engagement with frame members 78, 80 when the carriage is in its advanced position. Such engagement causes a lateral spreading of the dogs to the dotted line position of Figure l, clearing the answer sheets for discharge from the apparatus.

The key and answer sheets are held securely in position during the scanning operation by hold-down means which may comprise a hold-down plate 82, the rearward end of which is notched as indicated at 84, 86. This member is adapted to be alternately raised for introduction of an answer sheet, lowered for holding the answer sheet down for scanning, and elevated again for discharge of the answer sheet.

Suitable drive means are provided for reciprocating the carriage and also for raising and lowering the holddown member. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, these two drives are combined as follows:

Mounted on the frame of the apparatus is a motor,

not shown, which drives the gear box 90. The latter, in t9urn drives shafts 92-, 94 on which are mounted worms The latter elements drive worm gears 160, 162 which,

in turn, drive wheels 104,106 through shafts ltifiyllltlp Members 100-106carry crank pins, those on gears 100, 102 being indicated at 112, 114. The "crank pins are connected to one end of the crankshafts'116-122. The intermediate portions of the crankshafts slidably engage guideways 124-127in. carriage 60. Their other ends are slidably mouted in extensions of hold down member 82 and arezprovided with support'pins 128-130 which support the hold-down members as the shafts are elevated. Accordingly, as members 100-106 rotate,.carriage 60 will be reciprocated and hold-down member 82 will alternately: be elevated and answer sheet, operating through slots 84, 86 in holddown member 82, box 142. 1 i

As the carriage isreciprocated and the hold-down member' alternately raised and lowered, the answer sheets are scanned by photoelectric cells 36 and the re sulting electrical impulses employed to operate a comand to discharge it into the-receiving puter 150 which is electrically connected to the photoelectric cells through cable 152. The computermay be of conventional construction and is provided with a control 154 which may be set-to obtain the sub-total score or the total score as desired. Y

The computer in turn is connected electrically through cable 152 and the flexible, connector 1.56 with a plurality of electrically operated printing mechanisms 158-168. These may be of anysuitable construction and are mounted rigidly on hold-down member 82. They print the score on the answer sheet at the conclusion of the scanning-operation while the hold-down member is still in contact with the sheet. Five ofthem, for example 158-166, -may print the sub-total scores of answer groups total score.

Operation In operation the key sheet 24 is placed on the perfo rated bed 62 of carriage 60 with the punched out openings 25, which correspond to the correct answers, in registration with openings 64 in the: bed plate. answer sheet 10 then is superimposed upon the key sheet with thecircled areas 12 faced towardthe latter. While thus positioned on the carriage, the answer and key sheetsare aligned by means of guides 66, .68 and stop members 70, 72. i p Y The student has previously shaded the circled areaswhich he thinks correspond to the right answers, and if his selection has been correct, a colored or shaded area will be behind each of the openings 25 in the key sheet. However, if his selection has been erroneous, blank areas of relatively high light reflectiveuproperties will be present behind these openings. 1

Operation of the mechanism then is instituted by manipulation of a suitable control 170. This moves the apparatus through one cycleonly, i. e. from the position of Figure 2 throughIthat of Figure 3, through that of Flgure 4, and finally back to the starting position of Figure 2.

In the loading .position of Figure 2, the hold-down plate 82 is elevated and dogs 70, 72' are in position. As the cycle starts and gears 100, 102 move in a clockwise direction as viewed inFigure 2, the carriage is retracted and the hold-down member is lowered untilit contacts and holds down the answer and key sheets.

The scanning operation then begins (Figure 3). Light from sources 50-58 is transmitted through glass plate 48, through perforations 64 ingbed plate 62, and through openings 25 in answer card 24. If pencilled areas lie behind these openings, a substantial amount of the light will be absorbed. However, if the areas behind these openings are blank, the light colored paper discharging the answer sheets 14-22. Another, 168 may print the The will reflect the major proportion of the light. ingly 'there'is produced-a relatively strong,- or-relativelyaccurate.

Accordweak reflection of light which is picked up by photoelectric cells 36. These react accordingly and send impulses to the computer which scores the answer sheet and transmits the scores either as sub-totals or total score, depending upon the setting of dial 154, to printing mechanisms 158-168;

Continuedrotation of gears 100, 1tl2 bring the carriage to the discharge position of Figure 4. in this position hold-down member 82 is slightly elevated by engagement with pins 128-130 on crank shafts 116-122. Also, dogs 70,72 have been spread to the position indicated by the arrows 'of Figure l by contact of their angular surfaces 74, v7.6 with frame members 73, 80.

The two pairs of friction rolls 131-136 thereupon engage the answer sheet and withdraw it from the carriage, discharging it into receptacle 142. The cycle continues untilthe carriage and hold-down members have reassumedthe starting position of Figurel, when their motion is arrested pending another manipulation.

of control 170. It will be apparentthat although in the above described apparatus the answer sheet has moved relative to the photoelectric cells, the construction could be modified so that the reverseis true and the photoelectric cells moved withlrespect to the answer sheet. Also, although it is preferred for reasons of ac; curacy to operate the apparatus one cycle at 'a time; suitable feeding apparatus may be coordinated with it so-that the answer sheets. are fed automatically and the scoring thereof takesplace continuously. 1 7

Hence by .the presentinvention Ihave'provided examination grading apparatus which is. rapid and highly It also is versatile being applicable to the grading of papershaving a variable number of answers.

Furthermore, the apparatus is adaptable for use in situ-x ations wherein it is desired to obtain sub-total scores as ,well as in those where the: total score only isdesired. It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herewithshown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in'the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention,.or the scope of the vsubjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:-

I. Apparatus for grading multiple choice examination answer sheets using a. perforated key sheet, said apparatuscomprising: a frame, a plurality of spaced apart photoelectric cells mounted on the frame, a carriage slidably mounted, on'the frame adjacent the photo: electric cells, a perforated iplateon, the carriage the perforations in the plate being insubstantial registra tion with the photoelectric cells, illuminating means for directing light through the perforations in the plate;-.

drive means for reciprocating the carirage and the frame relative to each other between loading, scanning 1 and discharge positions; longitudinally disposed guide means on the carriage for guiding the key and answer sheets as they are placed-*thereon, transversely disposed stop means on the carriage for stopping the key and answer sheets as they are placed thereon, the guide meansand the stop means cooperating to position the keyand; answer sheets on the carriage in superimposed relationship to each other with the'perforations inthe key sheet opposite the perforations in the perforated plate, means connected to the stop means for moving it from an operative position when the carriage is in its loadingposi-v tion to an inoperative position when the carriage is in its discharge position, a'holddown. member adjacent the answer sheet on the'carriage'; drive means connected to the'hold-down member for -movmg 'it against the answersheet when the carriage 1s in its scanning. position and for maintaining?itzseparate from the answer sheet when the carriage isinitsdischarge and loading.

positions; discharge'means positioned rearwardly of the frame for.engagingtheanswer sheet as the carriage reaches .itsdischarge position; and fordischarging it therefrom, and. computing means in an electric circuit with the photoelectriccells forcomputing the score of the answersheet. i

2. The apparatus of claim ,1 wherein the drive means for reciprocating the ,ca'rriagea'nd operating" the hold down member comprises a crank rotatably mounted on the frame, and a crank shaft'pivoted at'one of its ends to the crank and connected to the hold-down member at the other of its ends, its intermediate portion slidably engaging the carriage.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the stop means comprises a spring-pressed dog pivotally connected to the carriage and positioned for engagement with a frame member when the carriage is in its discharge position, the frame member moving the dog to its inoperative position against the resiliency of the spring.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the discharge means comprises a pair of driven friction rollers positioned for gripping the answer sheet when the carriage is in its discharge position.

5. Apparatus for grading multiple choice examination answer sheets using a perforated key sheet, said apparatus comprising: a frame, a plurality of spaced apart photoelectric cells mounted on the frame, a carriage slidably mounted on the frame adjacent the photoelectric cells, a perforated plate on the carriage the perforations in the plate being in substantial registration with the photoelectric cells, illuminating means for directing light through the perforations in the plate; drive means for reciprocating the carriage and the frame relative to each other between loading, scanning and discharge positions; longitudinally disposed guide means on the carriage for guiding the key and answer sheets as they are placed thereon, transversely disposed stop means on the carriage for stopping the key and answer sheets as they are placed thereon, the guide means and the stop means cooperating to position the key and answer sheets on the carriage in superimposed relationship to each other with the perforations in the key sheet opposite the perforations in the perforated plate, means connected to the stop means for moving it from an operative position when the carriage IS in its loading position to an inoperative position when the carriage is in its discharge position,

a hold-down member adjacent the answer sheet on the carriage; drive means connected to the hold-down member for moving it against the answer sheet when the carriage is in its scanning position and for maintaining it separate from the answer sheet when the carriage is in its discharge and loading positions; discharge means positioned rearwardly of the frame for engaging the answer sheet as the carriage reaches its discharge position and for discharging it therefrom, computing means in an electric circuit with the photoelectric cells for computing the score of the answer sheet, and printing means in an electric circuit with the computing means and positioned for printing the score on the answer sheet.

6. Apparatus for grading multiple choice examination answer sheets with a perforated key, said apparatus comprising: a frame, a carriage slidably mounted on the frame, drive means for reciprocating the carriage and frame relative to each other between loading, scanning and discharge positions, positioning means on the carriage for positioning the key and answer sheets thereon, a hold-down member adjacent the answer sheet on the carriage, a crank on the frame; a crank shaft pivoted at one of its ends to the crank, connected at the other of its ends to the hold-down member, and slidably engaging the carriage in its intermediate position, whereby to reciprocate the carriage and hold-down member with rotation of the crank; and electronic means on the frame for scanning the answer sheet and scoring the same.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the positioning means for the key and answer sheets comprises a pair of longitudinal guides positioned one on each side of the carriage and a transversely extending, releasable stop at the rearward portion thereof.

No references cited. 

